Anthony Daniels on Gambling Legislation in Alabama: “It Will Have to Be Led in the Senate”
The future of gambling in Alabama remains uncertain, but the topic is expected to re-emerge during the state’s 2025 legislative session. Anthony Daniels, the Minority Leader in the Alabama House of Representatives, told 1819 News that any new efforts on gambling legislation will need to originate from the Alabama Senate, which became the primary roadblock during the 2024 session.
Reflecting on 2024 Legislative Efforts
In 2024, the Alabama House of Representatives passed two gambling-related bills: one permitting certain forms of gambling and another proposing a constitutional amendment to legalize gambling in specific counties. However, the Senate introduced multiple amendments, and negotiations ultimately broke down, leaving both bills to die in committee.
“We ended with the Senate last time, and so it will have to begin with the Senate because we want to make certain… we laid the foundation,” Daniels said. “It went back and forth, and we didn’t get to where we need to be. And so, in the end, it died in the Senate.”
The Senate’s Role in 2025
Daniels emphasized that the Senate must take the lead if gambling legislation is to succeed in 2025. He expressed optimism that senators will approach the issue strategically, ensuring that any proposals garner the necessary support.
“I suspect that it will come up [but] it will have to be led in the Senate,” Daniels explained. “Our senators will likely take on the issue. But, before, I’m certain they will count the votes and try to negotiate down to getting the votes that they need so that we will have something workable.”
Daniels also noted the groundwork laid by the House in previous sessions, expressing hope that the Senate will build upon those efforts: “Hopefully, they’ll start with the foundation that was laid by the House.”
A Long Road Ahead
While Daniels’ comments highlight the need for a collaborative approach, the path to gambling legislation in Alabama remains fraught with challenges.
The debate has been ongoing for years, with deep divisions between lawmakers over how to structure gambling expansion and how to allocate potential revenues.
As the 2025 session approaches, all eyes will be on the Alabama Senate to see if they can find common ground and deliver a “workable” solution, as Daniels suggests. For now, the state remains one of the few without a state lottery or legalized casinos, keeping its gambling future in the balance.
Recommended